Saturday, August 17, 2013

Coolest First Half Of August Since 1992

The last time Philadelphia has finished a first half of August this cool was 1992 -- thanks in large part that year to a volcano (Pinatubo) that had erupted the year prior to contribute to the chilled summer in North America. That first half of August featured highs of 67 and 68 on consecutive days (the last time the region had highs in the 60's in the first half of August) and an average temperature of 72 degrees.

This August was a bit milder than that but still a good ways below the average for this time of the year. August 2013's first half featured an average temperature of 74 degrees, 3.6 degrees below average and SIX degrees cooler than last August.

This year is definitely not like last year for a few reasons.

No 90's in the first half of August for the first time since 1984.

A low in the 50's in the first half of August for the first time since 2004.

Not your typical August in a not your typical summer.

Of course, the rainfall has been typical for this summer...typically high. We're on pace for seven inches of rain by month's end, a pace that probably doesn't hold to month's end but five is certainly is a reasonable ballpark figure. Needless to say, the cool is atypical -- not that anyone is complaining, but it is an unusual break in a rather warm overall climate that we've been a part of for a while.